I spent the evening getting ready with Tommy Dorfman, Hari Nef and Adesuwa Aighewi for the CFDA awards. Tommy gushed about Shawn Mendes over ice coffee while Adesuwa facetimed with other Coach gal Paloma Elsesser and Hari practiced the art of spinning in the dress for the cameras. "The paparazzi love when you do this," she squeals as she drops the dress allowing em to capture it in mid air. One of the best crews I have ever worked with. All it was missing was Selena's new song "Back to You" playing over the Coach HQ Speakers.
Governors Ball for Time Out Magazine
I spent the weekend shooting street style at Governors Ball. I had never been to a music festival before. Excited and overwhelmed, I packed everything I thought I could need gear wise and packed my fanny pack Tito's gave me for the festival with necessities (hand sanitizer, advil, ear plugs and koozies). Highlight of the day? Shawn Mendes laughing at me for lip syncing behind the camera to all the words to his new song Lost in Japan.
Check out some of the best fashion moments on Time Out as well as the recap including moments with Shawn Mendes and Maggie Rogers.
Oscar de la Renta Resort & Bridal
The Academy Mansion was the perfect setting for Oscar de la Renta's romantic bridal lookbook and the vibrant silhouettes of the resort collection.
My day started early with Oscar, creating some fun GIFS on the set of their SS19 Bridal photoshoot (which you can see them on their Instagram). The afternoon was spent capturing the backstage madness of the resort collection. All images were captured for Oscar's social team showing the hair and makeup process, empty runway and first looks on the staircase in real-time for their followers.
Met Gala 2018 for Coach
I spent the week prior to the Met Gala covering the making of Selena's dress in the workshop. Capturing the details from sketch to red carpet.
Her custom dress got made attention on Vogue Magazine and went viral. Selenators adored the angelic dressed inspired by Queen Esther. Her bag even quoted “A woman who fears the Lord is a woman who shall be praised” in Selena's handwriting.
She cheered champagne with Stuart in her hotel room and gushed about her Heavenly Bodies dress before heading out to the carpet.
Thrilled to be able to share these images is an understatement.
Gurls Talk with Coach
Model Adwoa Aboah hosted her annual Gurls Talk this year in Brooklyn at Industry City. Gurls Talk was founded on the principle of having "a safe space for girls to share and listen without any judgement or stigma." Speakers included model Paloma Elsesser, who spoke on Body Positivity, iO Wright, Dogpound's Dara Hart and Janaya Future Khan.
This assignment was shot for Coach and more images can be seen on their Instagram.
International Women's Day 2018
I love covering IWD in the city because the energy surrounding the day is so inspirational and contagious. Instead of shooting the strike and rally like last year, I focused just on portraiture of the beautiful women in Washington Square Park for International Women's Day. It might be my favorite series yet and I hope in these images you see strong, independent and powerful women and girls.
NYFW Fall 2018 for T Magazine
TOM FORD
When T assigned me Tom Ford's Men Show I was overwhelmed with excitement. I was completely speechless when I saw Mr. Ford himself at the show taking notes of the models and their walks during rehearsal. It wasn't until 15 min before the show that I learned the finale would be launching his underwear collection.
I wanted my work from this show to look different than my past. I didn't want it to look like "backstage" but more editorial in nature with a detailed focus on more portraiture. I also edited the images differently with a more desaturated color palette focusing on the body and skin tones of the models.
JASON WU
Wu's show was the only women's show I captured for T this season. The bold eye look allowed me to capture more beauty and portraiture than I typically do during NYFW. However the portrait of Whoopi Goldberg might be the highlight of my career thus far.
I watch The View everyday in my office and have adored Whoopi in all her accomplishments. No one was asking her for a photo as she sat front row, so I thought maybe she was unfriendly or didn't want to be photographed. I waited around until the end of the show and lingered as she greeted friends. I politely tapped her on the shoulder when I noticed a lull in the conversation. She was so sweet and posed for a portrait on the runway. I hope reading this is a reminder to all photographers to always ask for the shot! Never be intimidated. I mis-judged the situation by seeing no one shooting her and I am so happy I pushed myself to talk to her. Every time I look at the photo I smile thinking of how lucky I am to meet the people I do in my industry.
NYFW Fall 2018 for Monse
Monse asked me to cover their party at the Gramercy Hotel Rooftop in honor of their Fall 2018 video shoot with Erin Wasson. The film played on screens throughout the rooftop and everything was inspired by Coney Island, where the video took place. Hot dogs, cotton candy, tater tots, popcorn and corn dogs were passed around. Guests included Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Zosia Mamet, Olivia Culpo, Princess Olympia of Greece, Isabeli Fontana and more. You can see more on Vogue.com
Pericura at MOXY Hotel
Artist Alice Longyu Gao put together a Harajuku-inspired Insta-worthy beauty room at the Moxy Hotel. Lucky cat figures line the fuzzy floors and fortune cookies are on display to take before you do. Illuminated in neon lights, the room is a glimpse into Alice's mind. Alice plays her track made for the Juicy Couture NYFW show in the background while she herself gets her hair done by Kahh Spence. Offered in the space are nail appointments with artist Mei Kawajiri, jewelry workshops with Etsuna Otsuka and hair styling sessions with Kahh Spence. Per Alice's request, I got the extra pearls and sparkles on my nails. "Nothing can ever be too much in here," Alice says.
NYFW Fall 2018 for Mansur Gavriel
This season I got to work with photographers Tanya and Zhenya Posternak at the Mansur show. Both sisters ran the Instagram story account while I shot for social. The collaborative process backstage to create imagery was unlike any show I have done before. Tanya, Zhenya and I met with the Mansur team a week prior to the show to discuss the show schedule and deliverables. I admire their work so much and loved being able to shoot alongside them this season.
Check my work out on Mansur's instagram and website.
NYFW Fall 2018 for Coach
My assignment for Coach this season was to work exclusively with Selena Gomez to create unique content for Coach's social media. Having worked with Selena before, I was excited to create new work of her and spend some time with her prior to the show.
I always end my show coverage by shooting Stuart with the guest post-show congratulating him on his collection and asking about his inspiration. Spotted backstage was Storm Reid, of the new upcoming movie A Wrinkle in Time, Tommy Dorfman of 13 Reasons Why, Hip-Hop Artists Joey Badass and of course Artist Petra Collins.
You can see my work on Coach's Instagram as well as Stuart's Instagram
Jamie Chung X NYFW
When she was in NYC for a few days during NYFW, Jamie Chung and I collaborated on some shoots for Parker and Adidas. I can't believe I have known Jamie for 4 years now. Our first shoot was at the Standard Hotel Highline in the bathroom where they had these killer black and white patterned walls. She introduced me that day to my now obsession with oysters and she had just recently got engaged. I always love shooting with Jamie while she is in town and catching up. Happy to call her a friend and a client!
Follow along on Jamie's work and killer style over on her Instagram.
Ashley Stark X Valentine's Day
Ashley's home is stunning to say the least. Every room was picture perfect for our Valentine's Day Party shoot. We wanted to showcase Ashley's personality and life while still focusing on the interiors. Check out Ashley's Instagram for more images featuring rosé, party favors, cofetti and more.
Coach X Minnie Mouse
I have never laughed so hard on a photoshoot. I was honored to be in the presence of Disney Royalty as Stuart fitted Minnie Mouse for her custom Coach look. The Coach capsule collection launched January 22, 2018 (the same day Minnie accepted her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star).
Minnie was over the top hilarious and adorable on set and in the workshop. This was my first shoot of 2018 and I couldn't have asked for a better one.
Women's March 2018
I joined my sister and friends in NYC for another march this weekend. Last year I created a series of photos for a personal project and as much as I was excited to march I was just as excited to shoot more this year. A mix of signs, portraits and reportage, the images accurately depict the power of the march and the movement.
You can view all my March photos in the personal section of my website.
Mansur Gavriel on Wooster St.
Mansur Gavriel updated it's Wooster St. store for the new season. It's hard not to love an interior when it's millennial pink. To see more photos check out mansurgavriel.com
Starbucks Give Good
In lieu of giving gifts this season, I passed out coffee to the homeless in NYC. What I created was a special photo series dear to my heart of the people I met.
Starbucks releasing their holiday cup collection is my favorite time of year. I look forward to Halloween purely because the launch is the following day. The design and red colored theme always puts me in the holiday spirit. Anyone who knows me knows I love this day more than my birthday or any other day of the year.
I was happy to spread the holiday joy this season with those on the streets on New York City. I hope this series inspires you to give good as well and make someone's day by buying them a hot cup of coffee.
Selena Gomez in London for Coach
Following my days at the workshop, I flew with the Coach team to London to shoot Selena at the Regent Store meet and greet. The first day in London I spent bopping around the city capturing the Selena bag in front of tourist spots like Buckingham Palace, The London Eye and in a phone booth. It was the perfect first day to settle in because I got to tour the city and work simultaneously.
The next day I covered her arrival at the Coach Regent store and her meet and greets with hundreds of fans. Fans waited outside in the cold with hot chocolate and little heart Coach hand warmers waiting to be led inside to a line that weaved around the store and downstairs to the second floor. I saw so many tears and heard multiple heart felt stories of fans battling with sickness and finding peace in her music.
When all the fans had cleared out I followed Selena to her hotel, where I took some last minute photos of her dress (See pervious post) and took a portrait of Stuart on his way to the British Fashion Awards.
Selena Gomez Fittings for Coach
Finally catching up on my blogging after the holidays. The end of 2017 was crazy for me. I worked a lot with Coach and spent a fair amount of time in the Coach workshop.
I captured the making of Selena's American Music Awards' leather dress and the prairie dress she wore to the British Fashion Awards in London with Stuart. From the glitter patches to carefully stitching vintage lace, Coach pays close attention to detail. I love spending time in the workshop watching the team put together these incredible pieces for her to wear on red carpets.
Coach and Selena 5th Ave
She stayed way past her allotted time because she insisted on chatting with everyone who came. Selena greeted all the fans with a hug, signed posters and took lots and lots of photos. Just a few days later she announced she had a kidney transplant. I've never met a celebrity/notable more inspirational than Selena. It was an honor to spend the day with heron 5th ave at the Coach store to celebrate her new collaboration bag with Stuart.
To the left is me shooting the superstar in Coach's store in custom Coach bomber jacket.